After Avars : The Beginning of the Ruling Power on the Eastern Fringe of Carolingian Empire

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Authors

WIHODA Martin

Year of publication 2022
Type Article in Proceedings
Conference Rulership in Medieval East Central Europe : Power, Rituals and Legitimacy in Bohemia, Hungary and Poland
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Arts

Citation
Keywords Rulership; Carolingian Empire; Christianization; Tribute; Moravians; Bohemians; Polabian Slavs
Description Charlemagne and his successors tried to secure the eastern borders of the Frankish Empire in two ways: First through Christianization and through a system of oaths and tribute obligations. However when it was advantageous, they concluded also pragmatic alliances. In their fights with the Saxons, they became allied with the pagan Obodrites; in the case of the Bohemians/Czechs, they made do with the tribute; from the Moymirids, on the other hand, they extorted oaths of allegiance. They interfered into internal affairs, especially skirmishes between individual clans, mainly as mediators and arbitrators. Direct interventions, because of limited resources and an uncertain outcome, were considered only in exceptional cases.
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